The partnership involves offering a fully integrated navigation system for the affordable 500 EUR.

TomTom and Renault have formed a partnership to bring affordable, fully integrated navigation solutions to Renault customers on several models. The new partnership will contribute to the growth of both companies. The first application is expected to be on the market in the first half of 2009.

The consumer market for car navigation has had explosive growth in the last four years, and navigation devices continue to be the ‘must-have’ item for consumers. TomTom and Renault are set to lead the way in bringing navigation to the mass market through fully integrated in-car navigation.

“TomTom is uniquely placed to take advantage of the growth of navigation systems in the automotive industry,” said Harold Goddijn, CEO of TomTom. “We created the in-car navigation category as it’s known today and have become the number one brand of choice by identifying and delivering what customers want, and look forward to, in navigation. Less than a year ago, we significantly expanded our automotive engineering team and we are thrilled to now team up with Renault. This means that a far broader audience can benefit from our easy-to-use navigation solution offering the best maps, routing and traffic.”

Renault was the first car manufacturer to offer fully integrated navigation systems in 1994, when the first press test drives in Europe with Carminat navigation on the Safrane took place. “Today, Renault is partnering with TomTom to provide an up-to-date, fully integrated navigation system for approximately 500 euros,” said Patrick Pelata, executive vice president, leader of the Europe Management Committee at Renault. “Working with a navigation provider will improve Renault’s flexibility and time to market while ensuring, through full integration in the car, good ergonomics, quality, safety and reliability. Renault’s customers will find even more added value in our future product offerings thanks to this breakthrough.”